Introduction: Ampelocissus africana is a medicinal plant used to treat several diseases, including those affecting the prostate. This study investigated the effects of the aqueous extract of rhizomes from Ampelocissus africana (AAA) on a testosterone propionate (TP)-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) model. Methods: The effect of the extract at 50, 150, and 300 mg/kg on BPH in male rats was assessed using daily subcutaneous injections of 3 mg/kg TP for four consecutive weeks. After the induction schedule, physical parameters, prostate index (PI), serum biochemical parameters, homogenate antioxidant, enzyme parameters, and prostates histopathological studies were carried out. Triterpenes and sterols were also assessed. Results: Treatment with AAA reduced the PI level in a dose-dependent manner (up to 75.91% at the dose of 300 mg/kg). The inflammatory marker measured in the present study, namely C-reactive protein, increased significantly in the BPH group and improved with the treatments. In addition, AAA reduced oxidative stress by decreasing the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and increasing the catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in comparison to the positive control group. A histopathological examination corroborated the result of the analysis of the physical and biochemical parameters. The study also showed interesting levels of triterpenes (119.5 ± 4.5 mg UAE/g) and sterols (104.6 ± 3.06 mg CE/g). Conclusion: These results suggest that the aqueous extract of Ampelocissus africana could be used as a natural herbal therapy to treat BPH.

Introduction: Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A. Rich (Ebenaceae) is a nutritional, artisanal and medicinal plant. It is used in alternative medicine in Burkina Faso for the treatment of conjunctivitis, menorrhagia, dysentery, and especially diarrhea. Aims: Our study aimed to evaluate the chemical profile, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, the safety of use, and the spasmolytic effects of the fractions obtained from the aqueous decoction of the leaves of Diospyros mespiliformis. Methods: Phytochemical screening by HPTLC and the determination of compounds of interest were carried out. The antioxidant activity was evaluated according to the ABTS, DPPH, FRAP, and LPO methods. The inhibitory activity of Phospholipase A2 and 15-lipoxygenase was evaluated. Acute oral toxicity was carried out on female mice (NMRI). The ex vivo spasmolytic effect of the fractions was tested on isolated rat duodenum using ACh and BaCl₂ as contracting agents. Results: At the end of these tests, the fractions contain flavonoids, tannins, sterols, triterpenes, and saponosides. The content of total phenolics was respectively for the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) and the residual aqueous fraction (RAF) 84.15±1.73 mg EAT/g and 89.67±2.35 mg EAT/g. That of flavonoids was respectively 45.91 ± 0.98 mg EQ/g and 10.46±0.28 mg EQ/g for the two fractions. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of EAF for the ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP tests were 2.26±0.16 μg/mL, 22.34±7.23 μg/mL and 1136.25±0.90 mol EAA/g respectively, and an inhibition % of 43.80 ± 6.31% for LPO. For RAF, the IC₅₀ were in the same range as EAF of 16.82±0.23 μg/mL, 18.58±2.91 μg/mL, 1138.4±1.27 mol EAA/g and an inhibition of 45.14±10.35% for LPO. The fractions had an inhibitory effect on phospholipase A2 compared to Betamethasone. Finally, the most active EAF caused a spasmolytic effect with Emax of 87.4±15.71% and 90.40±7.84%, respectively, during contractions induced by BaCl₂ and ACh. Conclusion: Finally, this work provided scientific data and could justify the use of D. mespiliformis leaves in the treatment of diarrhea. Keywords: Diospyros mespiliformis, Leaves, Antioxidants, Anti-inflammatory, Safety of use, Spasmolytic

Anastatica hierochuntica L. (Brassicaceae) has been claimed to treat various conditions including complicated childbirth. The principal objective of this research was to provide scientific evidence on the contractile effect of the aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of the whole plant from A. hierochuntica during labor. Qualitative and quantitative methods helped identify and quantify the phytoconstituents in both extracts. The antioxidant activity was studied using four standard methods. The inhibitory power of the extracts on pro-inflammatory enzymes such as 15-lipoxygenase and phospholipase A2 was determined. The contractile effects of the extracts were evaluated using isolated pregnant mice uteri. Steroids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, and reduced compounds were identified in both extracts. The extracts demonstrated the ability to reduce oxidative stress. The hydroethanolic extract displayed the most significant anti-lipoxygenase activity with an IC50 value of 55.82 ± 1.15 µg/mL. The lethal dose (LD50) of extracts was estimated to be superior to 2000 mg/kg bw. The ability of the samples to produce one cm amplitude of contraction at 50% effective concentrations (EC50) was 1.51 ± 0.08 mg/mL for aqueous extract and 3.57 ± 0.61 mg/mL for hydroethanolic extract. These findings could provide evidence for using Anastatica hierochuntica to augment labor.

Background: Ampelocissus africana is a plant widely distributed in Africa. A. africana is used in food through its rhizomes and fruits, but also in traditional medicine for its ability to cure a wide range of human diseases. Aim: This review provides an overview of traditional, phytochemical, pharmacological, toxicological, and galenic knowledge regarding the use of A. africana. Methods: Online databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and African Journals Online (AJOL) were used to identify relevant research on the plant. ChemDraw Professional 15.0® was used to generate the chemical structure of the compounds present in the different parts of the plant. Results:: Ampelocissus africana has demonstrated therapeutic potential through pharmacological testing in several pathologies such as malaria, bacterial/fungal infections, benign prostatic hyperplasia, dermatoses, diseases with inflammatory components, diabetes, and sickle cell disease. Different classes of bioactive compounds have been identified, isolated, and quantified. Eight compounds were isolated from the rhizomes and leaves: β-sitosterol, betulin, 15-hydroxymethyl-16-methylheptadecyl ferulate, 3-hydroxymethyl-5-methyl-16-oxoheptadecyl ferulate, luteolin, derivatives of isorhamnetin and quercetin, and 1-O-β-D-rhamnopyranosyl-4-ethylphenylbut-2-one. Experimental studies have shown that Ampelocissus africana possesses significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anxiolytic, antimalarial, antifungal, antisickling, haemolytic and anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia activity in both in vitro and in vivo models. Toxicological studies on the extracts have proven their safety. The rhizome powder of this plant is used as an excipient in the manufacture of tablets. Conclusion: This literature review provides a solid scientific foundation to guide future research on A. africana Major Findings: Ampelocissus africana exhibits a range of pharmacological activities, primarily attributed to the presence of various molecules belonging to the terpene, sterol and phenolic compound classes. However, further research is needed to better understand its effects, confirm its therapeutic value and accurately assess any potential risks associated with its use.